Training or exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An Invention for martial arts and boxing training but it can be used for many other sports as well. It addresses the problem of how to train using a multiple of suspended targets ( 6 ), without these targets getting entangled with each other, and without cumbersome devices to keep the suspension points or arms apart. Here in this portable device all this has been avoided by running suspending elastic through a light flexible, thick walled, narrow bored tube ( 5 ). The tube is in separate pieces. The tube allows the elastic to retain all its characteristics. There is a different arrangement at the top end of the cord than at the bottom to enable disentanglement to occur. The targets can move continually around each other or around a suspended punch bag. Dynamic chaotic movement occurs on all planes without obstructive entanglement occurring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a training or exercise apparatus havingparticular, but not exclusive, application to martial and like arts. Theterm ‘martial and like arts’ is used herein as a portmanteau term toinclude what are normally termed martial arts and also other personalcombative arts such as boxing and wrestling. However, the apparatus mayalso be applied to training for sports, or simply exercise, without acombative element or even without a competitive element.

BACKGROUND

In boxing and other martial arts, it is usual to practice with apunchball (usually mounted to the top of a long, fairly stiff spring ona base standing on the ground) or a punchbag (usually suspended) or alike object adapted to be punched and resile, e.g. due to springinessand/or gravity. Particularly with martial arts, a number of attempts areknown to the present inventor to make these ‘punch objects’ require,teach or induce more skill. These attempts have been impractical.

THE INVENTION

One method considered by the present inventor, in order to improvepracticality, is to suspend smaller balls (or other target members) onflexible arms from the top of the punch object so that they flail aroundupon punching the punch object and will have to be dealt with by theuser, e.g. by hitting them, blocking them, touching them or avoidingthem (the meaning of the term “target” as used herein is intended toinclude an object which has to be avoided), which will hone his skills.A simplified aspect of the invention provides (suspendable) training orexercise apparatus comprising suspension means and target members to becontacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by thesuspension means such that the target members can move around oneanother. However, the (suspension part of the) arms can be so flexible(e.g. being simply of string or chain) that they become entangled withone another. Again, the arms may be so stiff that they fail to movefreely enough to exercise adequately the skills of the user, such thatthe target members cannot move around one another. The inventorconsiders that what is required is training with surprising rebound andmoving targets, preferably without the arms twisting around each other(becoming entangled).

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided trainingor exercise apparatus comprising suspension means and target members tobe contacted or avoided by the body and adapted to be suspended by thesuspension means, the suspension means being such that the targetmembers can move around one another, the apparatus comprising inhibitingmeans to inhibit tangling of the suspension means for respective targetmembers during use.

The apparatus need not be limited to use with a punch object (it may besuspended on its own) but, in its main application, the said suspensionmeans will be adapted for connection to, or above, the top of a (main)punch object, e.g. to be suspended from the suspension chains of apunchbag, or bands around the top of the punchbag. The apparatus (e.g.as sold) may include the punch object. The adaptation for connection maycomprise anchor means to anchor the suspension means to, or above, thetop of a punch object. Thus, the suspension means comprise anchor meansto effect the aforesaid connection. The anchor means may comprise loopmeans, hook means, and/or a collar. Preferably, the suspension meanscomprise a plurality of flexible arms, which may include part or all ofthe anchor means, or, more usually, be adapted to (depend from orotherwise) be mounted to the anchor means (if separate); i.e. the armsmay comprise all of the anchor means or may be mounted to part or all ofthe anchor means. Usually, at least one said target member will bemounted to each arm. For example, there may be a plurality of the targetmembers, one after another, in line, along a said arm. Normally, thetarget members will be remote (or away) from the anchor means.

The anchor means may be adapted to be detachably anchored to (e.g. theyare adapted to be unhooked from) a point of suspension on a support,e.g. the main chain of a punchbag. Each arm independently of the other/smay be adapted to be anchored to, so as to be detachable from (e.g. itis adapted to be unhooked from), a point of suspension. Preferably, theanchor means have a ready-release feature for a plurality of the arms sothat these can be readily released individually, e.g. if they havebecome slightly entangled they can be unhooked near the top,disentangled, and then re-anchored individually on the support, whateverit is, that has been used for the apparatus, in order to cure anyentanglement that might interfere with training.

Thus, in an embodiment the target member balls will be captive on theseparate arms and able to move around, above and below each otherwithout their arms having to be disentangled, except possibly at longintervals. The balls and their arms should be able to curve around oneanother, substantially in all directions, and recoil, and not rapidlyentangle. They require a means to inhibit entanglement.

The inhibiting means may comprise a suitable stiffening of the arms toinhibit the entanglement while still allowing the target members to movearound one another.

According to another aspect of invention, there is provided a trainingor exercise apparatus comprising anchor means to anchor the apparatusto, or above, the top of a punch object, a plurality of flexible arms(depending from or otherwise) mounted to the anchor means, at least onetarget member mounted to each arm (remote) away from the anchor means,the apparatus having means for reducing or inhibiting tendency of thearms to entangle with one another. The apparatus may have particularapplication to martial and like arts.

A said (or each) arm may comprise a chain but preferably comprises anelastic cord. Preferably, a said (or each) arm comprises a flexible coremember, e.g. said chain or elastic cord, running through a sleeve ofsemi-stiff material. Preferably, the sleeve comprises a relativelythick-walled material (tube) with a relatively narrow bore to receivesaid core member. Preferably, said material is a flexible elastomericmaterial, preferably spongy, e.g. a sponge rubber, more particularly asemi-stiff sponge rubber, e.g. flexible, closed-cell, elastomericnitrile rubber. Preferably, each arm comprises a plurality of segmentsarticulated together. Preferably, the sleeve is broken or interrupted atthe, or each, articulation. The apparatus may be adapted to be suspendedindependently of the punch object, or adapted to be suspended from asupporting suspension of a punch object, and may have target members ofdiffering weights and/or sizes.

In a preferred embodiment, this is a martial arts, boxing and similardisciplines training apparatus which hones the aspects of agility,balance, accuracy, power and speed in all of the skills of striking,blocking and evading strikes, as well as helping the user to perfect histechniques. It comprises plastic balls (as targets) that are suspendedfrom the supporting chains of a punchbag. The balls are suspended on theends of elastic cords. The elastic cords are run through the flexibleclosed-cell elastomeric nitrile rubber insulation described above(effectively, sponge rubber tubes); this prevents the elastic cords frombecoming entangled with each other, while allowing the elastic toretain, available for use by the user, a lot of its properties, e.g. itsrecoil and flexibility. The rubber tubes are not in one piece but arebroken apart at intervals into segments to give more flexibility (thelength of tube for each arm is made up of separate pieces). A detachablecoupling is fitted at the top end of each arm and each arm is detachablyattached separately to the chain of a punchbag. In one possiblescenario, the user may begin by hanging two balls, one at head height,the other at calf height. Then, after a period of time (which may beduring one practice session or after several practice sessions, e.g. forwarm-up, for practice, or after becoming experienced), may hang a thirdat knee height, then again another at chest height. Thus, new parts canbe added to the apparatus as the users skills improve. The balls can bepunched, kneed and/or kicked by the user, they can also be blocked andducked from when they recoil. All moves can be practised in randomcombinations. The central punchbag can be utilised at intervals to honetechnique. Eventually, the brain and body are trained to cope with thefast-changing demands of a martial arts or boxing, sparring or ringscenario. As many or as few detachable balls as required can be attachedat one time. The length of the cord (arm) depends on what part of thebody the user wants to praise with or defend, e.g. long for the balls tobe in the region of his legs, short for his head.

Thus, this embodiment provides a sports etc training or exerciseapparatus that develops co-ordination and trains reflexes, which can beused by, for example, all sports trainees to develop reflexes andco-ordination but is especially useful as a martial arts or boxingtraining apparatus, which consists of one or more targets or ballssuspended on arms such that entanglement of the balls or targets doesnot interfere with training. It can be suspended on its own or hung on apunchbag. Each ball or target position relates to a different part ofthe body.

A familiar example of said flexible dosed-cell elastomeric nitrilerubber insulation material suitable for covering the elastic cord isfound as central heating pipe insulation, i.e. the ordinary dark greytube-like soft insulation pipe covering which is used as a heatinsulator on copper central heating pipes in most houses, or “pipewrap”as some call it. This actual tubing has a slit along its whole length,and each segment of it for the present apparatus is therefore preferablyencircled with a reinforcement of fastening tape near each end of thesegment, but it should be borne in mind that this was used forprototypes, and in a production run closed tubing may be used, althoughthe reinforcement could still be useful. The elastic cord is ordinaryelastic cord that can be bought by the metre off the roll in localhardware or d.i.y. stores; its strength and resilience characteristicsand its dimensions can readily be chosen to be suitable for thisapparatus. The type of coupling used to attach each arm is not describedin full detail, since what is important is only that it should bedetachable while firm when attached (closed, as described herein). Thetarget members may conveniently be the same type as the children'splastic playing balls that one would find in a shop, diameter in therange 20 cm to 40 cm. However, for production, these target member ballsmay have to be manufactured with an attachment coupling to fasten theelastic cord directly to the ball. The balls used in prototypes did nothave this direct attachment, so this difficulty was overcome by puttingeach ball in a cover (e.g. net, pouch or bag) and attaching the cover tothe elastic arm. Similarly, if an upstanding punchball is used as asupport for the apparatus, this can be anchored to the top of a cover(e.g. net, pouch or bag) fixed to the punchball and surrounding the ballthereof. In any of these embodiments, the target members may be ofdiffering weights, apes and sizes; or all of them could be quite lightor, as an alternative, all of them could be chosen quite weighty; thechoices would depend upon the type of training required.

Thus, embodiments of the invention may be considered as follows:Conventional kinds of apparatus known to the inventor do not cater forthe ever-changing demands of the martial arts or boxing ring, or theyattempt to make use of stands and rods in a effort to keep the movingtargets apart, whereas a trainee would benefit from a number of movingtargets that have the ability to rebound and move in a chaotic fashion,without any suspended targets quickly becoming entangled with oneanother. Embodiments of the invention provide, in use, a number ofsuspended readily-moving targets which can be used to develop reflexesand co-ordination in all sports but are especially useful in martialarts and boxing training where they simulate an opponent. To minimize oravoid entanglement, the present embodiments provide any number of ballssuspended on elastic cord with the elastic cord running through a softresilient stiffing material, e.g. pipe insulation. The pipe insulationof each arm is in separate pieces, articulated together so as to allowfor movement in all planes. Various properties of the pipe insulationare important: The pipe insulation is a wide very light durable pipe. Ithas the ability to return to its shape after being crushed by a kick forexample. It has a thick wall but has a narrow bore. The thick wall givesstiffness to prevent the arms coiling around each other; this coilingwould occur if the pipe had thin walls. The bore of the pipe is wideenough to allow adequate movement of the elastic cord inside. This pipealso has some flexibility. Another important property that the pipe hasis that it is soft so it does not hurt if it strikes the user.Properties of the elastic cord such as flexibility and elasticity andrebound are retained while the surrounding pipe-insulation tubingprevents entanglement from interfering with the training. Anyentanglement occurs at the top of the apparatus and is slight and can bereleased by unhooking the arms at the top, for example at the end ofeach training session. The balls can be hung at any height and in anynumber. Balls can be suspended at different heights to train differentparts of the body, e.g. knees, feet, hands. They allow punching,kicking, use of knees, blocking and evasive movements. They also reboundand provide the element of surprise. The balls move in all planes.Entanglement of the apparatus does not occur so as to interfere withtraining. More balls can be added as the level of skill increases. Asmany balls as deemed necessary may be applied. It is a very light andeasy-to-install opponent simulator. It can be hung on a punchbag andconventional strikes to the punch-bag can be done in conjunction withthis ball training. It can be made very robust and inexpensive, yet safeto use. It reacts to the level of intensity at which it is being used:that is to say, as the user increases his speed the speed of the bailsincreases, so the level of skill can be increased further, therefore theuser controls the levels of speed and skill applied.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there can be provided atraining device or apparatus which is, or may be, suspended:

which consists of suspended balls or targets where the entanglement ofthe balls or targets does not interfere with training;

which may be unhooked at the point of suspension;

where each arm may be unhooked independently;

where the arms consist of balls or targets suspended on elastic cordrunning through sections of a narrow-bored wide-walled pipe;

which can be suspended on its own or on the chains of a punchbag;

which can have balls or targets of different weights and sizes;

which can have one or more balls or targets in line on any one arm;

with an easy-release system where the arms are unhooked near the top,disentangled, and then relocated individually again on the apparatus toprevent any entanglement interfering with training;

where individual arms may be fixed to the secondary chain or bands of apunchbag.

In the event that an arm (e.g. only one or two of the suspension means,the target member and/or the inhibiting means of the arm) becomesdamaged, replacement arms will be available on sale. According toanother aspect of the invention, there is provided, for use in any suchtraining or exercise apparatus, a combination of a target member andsuspension means for the same such that the target member and the targetmember of a similar combination can move around one another when thecombinations are suspended from a common point. According to anotheraspect of the invention, there is provided, for use in training orexercise apparatus, a combination of a target member and suspensionmeans for the same such that the target member and the target member ofa similar combination can move around one another when the combinationsare suspended from a common point, the first-mentioned combinationcomprising inhibiting means to inhibit tangling of the suspension meansfor the target members during use.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof training or exercise in which there is used any such apparatusembodying the invention. In an improved method, target members are addedto the apparatus as exercise or training progresses.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference is now made by way of example to the accompanying drawings. Inthese:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus 21 (e.g. see FIG. 3) embodyingthe invention, showing a user 14 training on the apparatus 21 as ithangs on a punchbag 7;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus 21 in close-up, showing theanchor means 3 comprising a ring 3 (and loops 4) more clearly;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus 21, separated from the punchbag7, showing the anchor ring 3 open and the apparatus 21 with inhibitingmeans 5 as it may look after a long training session, with arms 16entangled but only at the top. The ring 3 can then be readily opened andloops 4 (forming part of the anchor means 3) at the tops of individualarms 16 can be removed for disentanglement;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 3 after the individual arms 16 have beenremoved from the ring 3 and disentangled, and their loops 4 relocated onthe ring 3 for another training session;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of one arm 16, with the elastic cordshown (for the sake of clarity) much longer than it is in reality, sothat the individual segments 18 of the sleeve 5 enclosing the arm 16appear to be spaced apart on the elastic cord 8, whereas in reality theyare contiguous, and therefore articulated to one another where theytouch at the points 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4;

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 2 but shows an alternative anchorage means 3,with individual arms 16 hanging directly from secondary chains 2 of apunchbag 7. The Figure also shows two target member balls 6 connected inline in a single arm 16.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic explanatory front views of the apparatus 21,before training (untangled cords 8) and after training with consequentrapid tangling (tangled cords 9), if the apparatus 21 is providedwithout the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with the target balls 6 simplysuspended on elastic cords 8;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are similar views to FIGS. 7 and 8 if the apparatus 21 isprovided with the inhibiting means 5, i.e. with the cords 8 runningthrough pipe insulator-type sleeves 5. This shows how, despite the balls6 moving and swinging around each other, the cords 8 do not becomeentangled;

FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 2, but shows the arms 16 suspended directlyby their anchor loops 4 from the main, central supporting chain 1 of apunchbag 7;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view, close up, of a segment 18 of an arm 16;and

FIG. 13 is a close-up of part of the FIG. 11 apparatus 21, for clarityshowing only two arms 16 and these flung out in use, and showing how thearms 16 are connected directly to the central chain 1 of the bag 7,though they could equally be coupled to the bag 7 anywhere near, or on,its chain 1.

regarding the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14, 15,16,17 and 18.

FIG. 14 Here the eye of the suspension cord may be large enough toextend into the top of the tube thus forming a double layer whenentanglement begins.

FIG. 15 Here the cord is overlapped at the area of possible entanglement23,

FIG. 16 Here the suspension cord is thicker at the area of possibleentanglement than in the lower part of the suspension cord. This thickerarea extends down a little Inside the top of pipe 5,

FIG. 17 Shows the apparatus with the much thicker cord at entanglementarea 23,

FIG. 18 Here the elastic cord is shown much longer for clarity and showshow entanglement would occur during training with a punch bag.

Any one of the modifications shown in FIG. 14, 15 or 16 would enable theapparatus to automatically untangle this type of entanglement (in FIGS.17 and 18) without the trainee stopping to untangle it manually.

The arrangement at the top of the cord helps to untangle while the lowersection of the elastic cord retains its thinner and therefore betterrebound characteristics.

In the drawings, the items shown have the following references:

-   -   1=main chain or main suspension belt of punchbag 7    -   2=secondary chains of punchbag 7    -   3=anchor ring in the form of a collar 3 surrounding main        suspension chain 1 of punchbag 7. A ring is used here for        clarity, a rope tether may be used in reality    -   4=loop of elastic cord 8 of arm 16    -   5=pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting)        tubing (sleeve)    -   6=target ball    -   7=punchbag    -   8=elastic cord    -   9=entangled cords    -   10=thick (wide) wall    -   11=narrow bore    -   12=direct attachment anchor ring of individual arm 16 (similar        to collar 3 but smaller)    -   13=arm with two target balls 6 in line    -   14=trainee or user    -   15=articulation points of the arms 16 where the        pipe-insulation-type stiffening (entanglement-inhibiting) tube 5        is broken or interrupted, or articulated to balls 6, or where        the arm 16 is articulated to the anchor means 3,12    -   16=arm    -   17=net pouch to hold bail 6 to elastic cord 8    -   18=segments of tubing 5    -   19=slit in tubing 5    -   20=reinforcement tape around tubing 5    -   21=the apparatus, which may (FIG. 2) or may not (FIG. 3) include        the punchbag 7    -   22=suspension bands around the top of the punchbag 7.    -   23=Area of possible entanglement

Thus, suspendable training or exercise apparatus 21 comprises suspensionmeans 3, 8 and target members 6 to be contacted or avoided by the bodyand adapted to be suspended by the suspension means 3,8, the suspensionmeans 3, 8 being such that the target members 6 can move around oneanother, the apparatus 21 comprising inhibiting means 5 to inhibittangling of the suspension means 3,8 for respective target members 6during use.

The suspension means 3,8 are adapted for connection to, or above, thetop of a (main) punch object 7, e.g. being suspended from the suspensionchains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7 or bands 22 around the top of the punchbag.The adaptation for connection comprises anchor means 3, 4 to anchor thesuspension means 3, 4, 8 to, or above, the top of the punch object 7.The anchor means comprise loop means 4, FIG. 2, hook means (not shown),and/or a collar 3. The suspension means 3, 8 comprise a plurality offlexible arms 16, and include the anchor means 3, 4, or may beconsidered to depend from the anchor means 3 considered as a separatering 3. At least one said target member 6 is mounted to each arm 16. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there is a plurality of the targetmembers 6, one after another, in line, along a said arm 13; these targetmembers 6 are remote (or away) from the anchor means 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, anchor means 3,12 are adapted to be detachablyanchored to a point of suspension (the bottom of chain 1) on a support(here the main chain 1 of a punchbag 7). Each arm 16 independently ofthe others is adapted to be anchored to, so as to be detachable from,the said point of suspension. The anchor means 3 have a ready-releasefeature (in the form of a latched-opening ring 3) for a plurality of thearms 16 so that these can be readily released individually, for thereasons described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Thus, the target member balls 6 are captive on the separate arms 16 andable to move around, above and below each other without their arms 16having to be disentangled, except possibly at long intervals. This isachieved by using a means 5 to inhibit entanglement, which comprises asuitable stiffening 5 of the arms 16 to inhibit the entanglement whilestill allowing the target members to move around one another.

Thus, this training apparatus 21 comprises anchor means 3 to anchor theapparatus 21 to, or above, the top of a punch object 7, a plurality offlexible arms 16 mounted to the anchor means 3, at least one targetmember 6 mounted to each arm 16 (remote) away from the anchor means 3,the apparatus 21 having means 5 for reducing or inhibiting tendency ofthe arms 16 to entangle with one another.

Each arm 16 comprises an elastic cord 8, which is a flexible core member8 running through a sleeve 5 of semi-stiff material, which is arelatively thick-walled material (wall 10) with a relatively narrow bore11 to receive said core member 8, that is a flexible, closed-cell,elastomeric nitrile semi-stiff sponge rubber. Each arm 16 comprises aplurality of segments 18 articulated together at points 15, where thesleeve 5 is broken or interrupted.

The apparatus 21 comprises plastic balls 6 (as targets 6) that aresuspended from the supporting chains 1, 2 of a punchbag 7 on the ends ofelastic cords 8 of arms 16. The elastic cords 8 are run through theflexible closed-cell elastomeric nitrile rubber insulation 5 describedabove, effectively, sponge rubber tubes 5 with a reinforcement 20 offastening tape 20 near each end of each segment 18 thereof; thisprevents the elastic cords 8 from becoming entangled with each other,while allowing the elastic 8 to retain, available for use by the user, alot of its properties, e.g. its recoil and flexibility. The rubber tubes5 are not in one piece but are broken apart at intervals, i.e. at points15 into segments 18 to give more flexibility; thus, the length of tube 5for each arm 16 is made up of separate pieces 18. A detachable coupling3 is fitted at the top end of each arm 16 and each arm 16 is detachablyattached separately to the chain 1,2 of a punchbag 7. In one possiblescenario, the user may begin by hanging two balls 6, one at head height,the other at calf height, and then (as described above) a third at kneeheight, then again another at chest height. Thus, new parts (arms 16including balls 6) can be added to the apparatus as the users skillsimprove. The length of the cord 8 (arm 16) depends on what part of thebody the user 14 wants to practise with or defend, e.g. a long cord 8for the balls 6 to be in the region of his legs, short for his head.

The apparatus 21 can be suspended on its own or hung on a punchbag 7.Each ball 6 thus provides a target position relating to a different partof the body, i.e. the user's body and the theoretical opponent's body.

Details have been discussed above of tubing 5, elastic cord 8, types ofcoupling 3 used to attach each arm 16, and target members 6 (and theircovers 17).

The apparatus 21 provides a number of suspended readily-moving balltargets 6 that have the ability to rebound and move in a chaoticfashion, without any suspended targets 6 quickly becoming entangled withone another. Any number of the balls 6 are suspended on elastic cord 8running through a soft, resilient stiffening material 5, possibly madefrom pipe insulation 5, in separate pieces 18, articulated together atpoints 15 so as to allow for movement in all planes. Various importantproperties of the pipe insulation 5 have been discussed above, as alsoproperties of the elastic cord 8, methods of dealing with any slightentanglement, and methods of hanging and suspending balls 6 in differentways and adding to their number. The apparatus 21 can be hung on apunchbag 7.

The embodiments provide a training device or apparatus 21 which is, ormay be, suspended:

which consists of suspended balls 6 or targets 6 where the entanglementof the balls or targets 6 does not interfere with training;

which may be unhooked at the point of suspension 3;

where each arm 16 may be unhooked independently;

where the arms 16 consist of balls 6 or targets 6 suspended on elasticcord 8 running through sections of a narrow-bored wide-walled pipe 5;

which can be suspended on its own or on the chains 1,2 of a punchbag 7;

which can have balls 6 or targets 6 of different weights and sizes;

which can have one or more balls 6 or targets 6 in line on any one arm16;

with an easy-release system where the arms 16 are unhooked (from openedring 3) near the top, disentangled, and then relocated individuallyagain on ring 3 of the apparatus to prevent any entanglement interferingwith training;

where individual arms 16 are fixed to the secondary chain 2 or bands ofa punchbag 7.

And also regarding the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16(the tube 5, is drawn transparent here apart from outline to enable thesuspension cord to be seen).The apparatus may have a suspension cord that is thicker at the area ofpossible entanglement 23, than at the lower part of the suspension cord(FIG. 16).or the cord may be overlapped in this area (FIG. 15).or the eye of the suspension cord may be large enough to extend into thetop of the tube (FIG. 14).or the material of the suspension cord may be different (made of a moresuitable material to enable disentanglement) in this area 23, than inthe rest of cord.These modifications enable the apparatus to automatically untangleitself during training without the trainee stopping to untangle it whenits entangled as in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of thedifferent embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected,combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to anynew and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference orparticularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of itsnegative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation isabsent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore describedwill be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variationsare to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

1-58. (canceled)
 59. An apparatus for training or exercise comprising:(a) suspension means; (b) target members configured to be suspended bythe suspension means such that the target members can move around oneanother upon a target member being contacted by a person; and, (c)inhibiting means configured to inhibit tangling of the target members onthe suspension means upon a target member being contacted by a person.60. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a punch object having atop and bottom and wherein the suspension means are adapted forconnection to, or above, the top of the punch object.
 61. The apparatusof claim 2 further comprising anchor means to effect the connection. 62.The apparatus of claim 3 in which the anchor means is selected from agroup consisting of loop means, hook means, and a collar.
 63. Theapparatus of claim 3 in which the target members are remote from theanchor means.
 64. The apparatus of claim 3 in which the anchor means areadapted to be detachably anchored to the suspension means.
 65. Theapparatus of claim 3 in which the suspension means comprise a cord andthe inhibiting means comprise a sleeve on a core of comprising the cord,wherein the cord extends through the sleeve and is configured to attachto the anchor means.
 66. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve isselected from a group consisting of a tube and pipe-wrap.
 67. Theapparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve has a longitudinal split. 68.The apparatus of claim 7 in which the sleeve is configured withfastening means.
 69. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the cord isoverlapped at the anchor means such that the overlap extends into thesleeve.
 70. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the cord comprises athicker section at the anchor means such that the thicker sectionextends into the sleeve.
 71. The apparatus of claim 1 in which thesuspension means comprise a plurality of flexible arms.
 72. Theapparatus of claim 13 in which each arm independently of any otherflexible arm is adapted to be anchored to, so as to be detachable fromthe suspension means.
 73. The apparatus of claim 13 in which a targetmember is mounted to a flexible arm.
 74. The apparatus of claim 13 inwhich an arm comprises an elastic cord.
 75. The apparatus of claim 1 6in which the target member is suspended on the elastic cord.
 76. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein the inhibiting means comprises a sleeveand wherein each flexible arm in the plurality of flexible armscomprises a core member running through one or more sleeves wherein thecore member is selected from a group consisting of an elastic cord and achain.
 77. An apparatus for training or exercise comprising: (a) aplurality of tubes; (b) a plurality of cords, each configured to extendthrough one or more tubes and the plurality of cords configured toconnect together at a point of suspension; and, (c) a target memberattached to each cord wherein each target member is configured to becontacted by a person and is constrained to move around any other targetmember.